March 30, 2024
2 mins read

‘I Don’t Sit By The Doors’: Biden Jokes About Boeing Mishaps

The quip came in response to a question from CBS “Late Show” host Steven Colbert about whether Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had tightened the bolts on the presidential plane – which is a Boeing 747-200B series aircraft – before Biden’s trip to New York City.

President Joe Biden joked about being away from the plane doors manufactured by Boeing, a company recently plagued by mid-flight mishaps, the New York Post reported.

“I don’t sit by the door,” quipped the 81-year-old president, followed by a quick disclaimer, “I’m only kidding. I shouldn’t joke about that.” His remarks came during a high-dollar campaign fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall.

The quip came in response to a question from CBS “Late Show” host Steven Colbert about whether Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had tightened the bolts on the presidential plane before Biden’s trip to New York City.

Boeing is one of two highly customised Boeing 747-200Bs. However, Boeing has faced scrutiny following a series of mid-flight incidents. The troubles began with a door blowout on a Boeing 737 Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines on January 5th, leading to the grounding of all 737 Max 9s by the Federal Aviation Administration. Investigations revealed missing bolts from the rear door of the Alaska Airlines jet, adding to concerns about Boeing’s safety protocols.

Shortly after, a Boeing aircraft had to make an emergency landing in Japan due to a crack in the cockpit window, further denting the company’s reputation, according to the New York Post.

In another incident, a Delta Airlines-operated Boeing 757 lost its front tire as it was preparing to depart Atlanta International Airport for Bogota, Colombia. These incidents raised alarm bells about the reliability of Boeing’s aircraft.

Adding to the string of mishaps, a UK passenger noticed pieces of tape on the exterior of a Boeing 787 during a flight to India, raising further concerns about maintenance standards. Then, a United Airlines Boeing 777-300 experienced a midair fuel leak, necessitating an emergency landing on March 11th. Amidst these challenges, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced his decision to step down at the end of the year, reflecting the company’s turbulent period.

Biden’s playful remark about avoiding the door on Air Force One brought a moment of levity to the fundraiser, but it also underscored broader concerns about aviation safety and Boeing’s ongoing challenges, New York Post reported. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Biden okays $60mn in aid after Baltimore bridge disaster

Previous Story

Millions of Pak women are crippled by early marriages

Next Story

Muizzu Alleges Solih Operated on ‘Foreign Envoy’s Orders’

Latest from -Top News

India bids emotional farewell to Manmohan Singh

The nation bid an emotional farewell to the stalwart Congress leader who was fondly known as the ‘Architect of India’s economic reforms’. Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was laid to rest

Biden pays tribute to India’s ex-PM Manmohan Singh

Presiden Biden emphasised that “the unprecedented level of cooperation between the United States and India today would not have been possible without the Prime Minister’s strategic vision and political courage.” US President

OpenAI’s o3 reasoning model ignites AI hype

Social media influencers have kicked off a fierce debate over OpenAI’s new o3 reasoning model, with some of them raising concerns about its high cost and the potential for overhyping its artificial
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Biden hosts Kishida, in strong message to China  

Over 70 items covering a wide array of critical sectors

Biden pitches mammoth $6 trillion budget

The budget for the year starting October 1 earmarked USD